WPS
Chicago Red Stars are suspending operations, leaving WPS with only six teams. Chicago was second in the league in attendance last year, which suggests that even successful franchises are having trouble securing sponsorship deals.
Global Footy
How have Spurs been so successful in Champions League this season? Some say Harry Redknapp’s tactics are the driving force. What else could it be?
A short introduction to the Austrian Wunderteam of the 1930s and the coffee house culture that produced the Danubian brand of football.
A bus carrying supporters for Greek club PAOK was attacked in Zagreb. Fans of Dynamo Zagreb apparently felt that violence was the only reasonable response to opposing views on sports.
It’s strange to think that Brazil hasn’t produced any breathtaking playmakers since Kaka emerged. For anybody that has watched Ramires sink Chelsea’s season, it is clear he is no superstar. Allow me to introduce Neymar: The Next Big Thing. And Ganso: The Thing Bigger Than Neymar*
*Once he recovers from a nasty knee injury.
Arsene Wenger says the pitch was not fit for footy after Manchester United beat Arsenal 1-0. Maybe that’s why JS Park used his head to score the winner.
FIFA
It would be nice to think that FIFA wasn’t always like this. And to be fair, it has not always been so transparently evil the way it is now.
Franz Beckenbauer says he is losing faith in FIFA after the handling of the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bids. Way to go Franz. But wouldn’t it be ironic if FIFA President Sepp Blatter said something so heinous that it made the World Cup bidding process seem fair?
Only a block quote does this justice:
“Speaking at a news conference in South Africa, Blatter said that visitors should respect local laws in Qatar where homosexuality is illegal and sodomy incurs a heavy prison term.
“Then I would say then that they should refrain from any sexual activities,” Blatter replied when asked whether gay football supporters should worry about the country’s strict laws.
But the chief of football’s global governing body was quick to add that FIFA does not tolerate discrimination.
“I think there shall not be any discrimination against any human beings, being on this side or that side or left or right or whatever, because football is a game that does not affect any discrimination and we don’t want to have any discrimination,” he said.”
International
The US Men’s National team will face Egypt in February.
Clarence Seedorf has positive things to say about Oguchi Onyewu.
The Washington Post’s Jeff Maurer picks a fight with FIFA’s least ridiculous reason for their 2022 decision. He doesn’t think a Qatari World Cup will help Middle Eastern soccer.
Img via Pitchinvasion.net
Blatter, according to reports, was “apparently joking” because, you know, homophobia and discrimination against gays and lesbians is funny, just like discrimination against women and abuse of foreign workers. Blatter added, “I think there is too much concern for a competition that will be done only in 12 years.”
FIFA spokespersons later refused to comment on Blatter’s remarks. “Fifa says Blatter gave all the clarification required in his press conference,” according to a reporter for the BBC.
Indeed.
Blatter argues that the 2022 decision is about “the development of football.” What is the price for that development? Shouldn’t the order be 1) Develop tolerance, 2) Develop football?
Maybe in 12 years FIFA makes them develop some sort of tolerance at least.
Don’t forget we still have “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Give them a chance.
They can have chance, that’s what they were granted when they were awarded hosting privileges. But they’ll also have constant pressure. By the way, the last time I checked, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – an offfensive policy that must be overturned – doesn’t involve state sanctioned floggings, deportation and indefinite detention.